US2240468A - Knitting machine - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1941. F. G. WEISBECKER KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l April 29, 1941.

F, G. WEISBECKER KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20,1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 R Hwwm April 29, 1941. WEISBECKER 2,240,468

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1938 e Sheets-Sheet 3 April 29, 1941. F. a. WEISBECKER 2,240,463

' KNITTING momma Filed June 20, 193B e sheets-sheet 4 "Mug-yum April 29, 1941- Ffe. WEVISBECKER 2,240,468

KNITTING MACHINE kin m @N mm Mm a x Filed June 20, 1938 April 29,, 1941. F. G. WEISBECKER L KNITTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 20, 1938 Patented Apr. 29, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE Frank G. Weisbecker, Glenside, Pa., assignor to Hosiery Patents Incorporated, Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 20, 1938, Serial No. 214,804 1 52 Claims. (01.66-126) This invention relates to improvements in straight knitting machines, and more particularly to novel mechanism for operating and controlling elements of a straight knitting machine.

Conventional flat or straight knitting machines, such as those generally used in the production of full-fashioned hosiery, are provided with carrier bars or bands which support the usual yarn carriers. These carrier bars or bands extend ap proximately the entire length of the knitting machine, Each carrier bar orband usually is provided with one yarn carrier for each section of the knitting machine, which may comprise one section, or as many as thirty sections for simultaneously knitting a plurality of similar stocking blanks or portions thereof. To provide for movement of the yarn carriers in their usual paths for laying yarn, the carrier bars or bands are longitudinally reciprocated by a drive transmitting mechanism, which is operated by the conventional coulier motion.

A novel form of drive transmitting mechanism for the carrier bars or bands of a straight knit ting machine is disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,979,212, dated October 30, 1934. The present invention relates to the general type of drive transmitting mechanism disclosed by said prior patent and also provides a novel form of auto-' matic control therefor, whereby the carrier bars or bands may be selectively operated in predetermined order. I

The drive transmitting mechanism of this invention provides an oscillatable member or drum and novel means for connecting the said oscillatable drum and a carrier bar or group of carrier bars in driving relation, whereby a particular carrier bar or group of carrier bars may be reciprocated during oscillation of said drum. This invention also provides novel means for connecting said oscillatable drum to the conventional coulie'r motion, whereby the drum is given a desired, controlled oscillating movement.

One of the features of this invention resides in means for controlling or varying the speed or rate 'of travel of the carrier bars between the limits of their strokes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel form of drive transmitting mechanism for the yarn carriers or their carrier bars in a straight knitting machine, which mechanism is relatively simple in construction, which will give efllcient service during use over extended periods of time, and which will provide for smooth and certain operation of the carrier bars and yet readily yield in desired manner when the carrier bars are arrested at their limits of travel.

It is noted here that th present drive transmitting mechanism is a distinct improvement over the so-called friction boxes of the prior art. These prior art friction boxes are slidably mounted on a so-called friction rod which is longitudinally reciprocated. When a friction box is adjusted to frictionally grip the friction rod, such friction box moves with the friction rod until the driven carrier bar is arrested at its limits of travel by carrier bar end stops. After such arresting action, the friction rod continues its movement and slips relatively to the friction box of the arrested carrier bar. These prior art friction boxes are not entirely satisfactory. For one reason or another, they frequently stick to their friction box rod and subject the machine to unnecessary strain when the respective carrier bar is arrested by a positive stop on the machine. At other times, the friction boxes of the prior art slip relatively to their friction ro'd prior to completion of the intended carrier bar travel. This slippage is apt to result in the sinkers being damaged by overtaking the yarn carriers during their yarn laying stroke, except as yielding yarn carriers or carrier holders such as disclosed in my prior Patents 2,014,341, dated September 10, 1935; 2,026,514, dated December 31, 2,093,789, dated September 21, 1937,.and 2,101,801 dated December 7, 1937, are provided for the knitting machine. Another possible result of this friction box slippageis that the yarn carriers will not be operated to the full extent of their intended travel. Failure of a yarn carrier to complete its yarn laying stroke would impair and might even spoil the fabric being knit.

The drive transmitting mechanism of this invention avoids the objectionable sticking and such manner as to reduce .the strain on the knitting machine to a minimum.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means for operating a carrier bar drive transmitting mechanism.

Still another object of this invention is to provide novel and improved drive transmitting mechanisms for operative elements of a straight knitting machine.

A further object is to provide a novel mechanism for controlling the speed of operating carrier bars.

A still further object is to provide a novel and relatively simple mecahnism for automatically controlling the yarn carrier drive of a knitting machine, whereby the supporting members for the yarn carriers such as the usual carrier bars, are selectively operated in predetermined order.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, which latter show preferred vention.

In the drawings, Figure I is a plan view of a carrier bar drive mechanism and means for operating same, which mechanism and means embody this invention.

Figure II is an enlarged elevational view of one of the friction units shown in Figure I.

Figure III is a rear elevational view of the construction shown in Figure I, but with the cable cam lever in the inoperative position for purposes of illustration.

Figure IV is a top plan view on enlarged scale of a detail of Figure I.

Figure V is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on line V--V of Figure IV.

Figure VI is a perspective view on enlarged scale of a detail of Figure I.

Figure VII is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII of figure I.

Figure VIII is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Figure I.

Figure IX is a top plan view on enlarged scale of one of the cable adjusting means shown in Figure I.

Figure X is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line X--X of Figure IX.

Figure 2G is a rear elevational view of another embodiment of this invention, in which the carrier bar drive transmitting mechanism is automatically controlled by pattem mechanism.

Figure XII is a side elevational view, on enlarged scale, taken in general on line XII-X[I of Figure XE.

Figure XIII is a side elevational view, on enembodiments of this inlarged scale, taken on line XIIIXIII of Figure XI.

Figure XIV is a top plan view on enlarged scale of a detail of Figure XI.

Figure XV is a view partly in cross-section and taken on line XV-XV of Figure XIV.

Figure XVI is a perspective view on enlarged scale of a detail of Figure XI.

Figure XVII is a rear elevational view of a carrier bar drive transmitting mechanism embodying this invention with a modified form of means for operating the drum of said mechanism. V

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, they show conventional carrier bars I supported for longitudinal reciprocatory movement by the usual stationary carrier bar guide brackets 2. 'I'he'conventional straight knitting machine now in general use has a plurality of ing with a set of circumferential ribs I I.

these guide brackets 2 spaced along the machine so that the carrier bars I will have ample support and be properly guided during movement. Straight knitting machines, such as usually employed for knitting full fashioned stockings, comprise aplurality of knitting sections, for example, twenty-four, for simultaneously producing a similar number of stocking blanks. Each carrier bar I of the knitting machine usually extends the length of the entire series of knitting sections and is provided with a yarn carrier for each knitting section. However; for the purpose of explaining this invention, it will only be necessary to show portions of the carrier bars I.

This invention provides a mechanism for transmitting the drive of an operating machine part, such as bar 3, to the individual carrier bars I. The bar 3 may be any conveniently located machine member having reciprocatory motion. If desired, the usual slur cam bar may serve as the bar 3. In the conventional'full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, the slur cam bar is constantly reciprocated by, and during operation of, the well known coulier motion. This coulier motion drives the reciprocating slur cam bar at a substantially uniform speed during each stroke thereof.

Friction drive 1 The drive transmitting mechanism for the carrier bars I includes an oscillatable member 5 such as a drum or wheel. The drum 5 oscillates preferably through an angle of less than 360 and receives its drive 'from the reciprocating bar 3 through any suitable means, but preferably through such means as are described hereinafter.- The drum 5 (see particularly Figure VII) is also preferably designed to provide a relatively light construction, and for this reason, may comprise a generally cylindrical outer portion Ii which is connected by spokes I to a hub portion 8. The drum 5 is also preferably provided with a series of circumferentially extending grooves 9 to form a set of cylindrical surfaces I0 alternat- The surfaces II) are preferably machine finished, so that they will be perfectly smooth and truly cylindrical.

Each carrier bar I is provided with separate means for connecting it in driving relation to the drum 5, the connecting means for all the carrier bars I preferably being identical in both construction and operation. A description of the means for transmitting the drive of drum 5 to a single carrier bar will, therefore, suflice for all the carrier bar drive connecting means.

The drum 5 is preferably provided with as many grooves 9 as there are carrier bars I in the knitting machine, in order that there will be one drum groove 9 for each carrier bar I. The drive connecting means for a carrier bar I includes a set of two friction units or hands I2 disposed inthe respective drum groove 9, as well as a flexible member I6 secured at its ends to the respective carrier bar I. For purposes of illustration, Figure VII shows carrier bar drive connecting means associated with each drum groove 9, except the one at the extreme left.

Each friction unit or band I2 (see Figure 11) "may comprise a channeled member I3, to which is riveted, or otherwise secured, a lining I4. The channeled member I3 is preferably formed of metal and'the lining I4 is preferably formed of leather, but other suitable materials may be used for these parts. The channeled member I3 of each friction unit I2 is also preferably ofrelatively rigid construction, in order that it will retain its shape and provide for engagement be:-

tween the entire inner surface. of its lining. III and the associated cylindrical surface It. All

the friction units I2 may be identical, and. each -a small portion of the respective annular surface Ill and leave a gap or space for receiving a driving abutment or cable anchor member I (see Figure VIII).'

Each set of two friction units I2 and their respective anchor member I5 are held in place within the corresponding groove 9 by a flexible member I6, which may be a cable formed of a plurality of twisted metallic wire strands. The flexible member I6 might also be formed of strong cord, rope, chain or other suitable flexible means. Each cable I6 is looped once about the drum 5 to encircle the respective set of friction units I2 and has its end portions preferably extending substantially tangentially from .the drum 5 in substantially opposite directions for attachment to the respective carrier bar I. The looped portion of each cable I6 is received within the channels of its friction units I2 (see Figures I, VII and VIII, for example) and issecured, preferably at a point substantially midway of its length, to the anchor member I5, as by welding. Each anchor member I5 may have upstanding spaced lugs I! (see Figure VI), which serve to position properly the cable It for the welding operation. Material deposited in the welding operation is shown at It in Figure VI.

The anchor member I5 provides apositive driving connection between the attached cable I6 and its respective friction units I2. If the an chor member I5 were omitted and the cable It not anchored except at its ends, the cable It would tend to slip relatively to the associated friction units I2 and might fail to drive the corresponding carrier bar I. Each cable It might be secured directly to one or both of the associated friction units I2; but the illustrated construction, in which the friction units I2 are merely supported by their cable I6, is preferred,

as It in effect provides a floating arrangement for thefriction units I2, which will, therefore, more readily adapt themselves to operating conditions and secure a smoother and more uniform drive for the carrier bars I. .The length of the anchor member I5 is preferably slightly less '1 than the length of the space left between the upper ends of the associated friction units I2, when the latter engage the drum 5 in driving relationand have their lower ends arranged in abutting relation (see Figure VIII) These proportions will allow for wear of the friction lin- The other end of each cable I 6 (see particularly Figures IV and V) is connected to the respective carrier bar I by means which are operable to control the engagement and disengagement between the friction units I2 and the drum 5. This end of the cable I6 may be secured, as-

by welding, to a member 25, which is slidably carried by a bracket member 26. The bracket members 26 may be secured to the respective carrier bars I. in the same manner as the bracket members 22. Each slide member 25. pivotally supports a manually operable cam lever 21. The cam levers 2'I may'have theirlcam portion slotted, as shown in Figures IV and V, to receive the associated part of the slide member 25.

When yarn laying operation is desired for a particular carrier bar I, its respective cam lever 21 is swung from the inoperative position shown in Figure III to the operative position shown in Figures I, IV and V. This movement of a cam lever 21 tensions its particular cable I6 with the It will now be'clear that the drum 5 producesreciprocation of a carrierbar I by winding upon itself first a portion of onehalf of its cable It and then a portion of the other cable half. For example, when drum 5 rotates clockwise (see Figure III), it moves an operating carrier bar I to the left a desired distance by winding upon itself a-portion of the cable part which extends between the drum 5 and slide member 25. Simultaneously, a part of the cable portion on the right half of the drum 5 (see Figure III) is unwound to-extend parallel to and to move with the operating carrier bar I. When the drum 5 reverses its direction of movement and rotates counter-clockwise, it drives the operating carrier bar I to the right (referring to Figure III) by winding upon itself a part of the cable portion which extends between the driun 5 and the sleeve 20. At the same time, a portionof that part of the cable which extends from the anchor vices (not shown).

an opening in a bracket member 22 and is provided with an adiusting nut 23. Each bracket member 22 .is recessed at its under side to snugly fit its corresponding carrier bar I, to which it may be riveted or otherwise suitably secured The nuts 23 may be 'rotated by an appropriate tool to take up undesired slack in their respective cables le'and also to compensate for wear of the friction unit linings l4.

member I5 and is secured to the slide 25 is unwound.

The extent of movement of thecarrier bars I in conventional knitting machines is usually controlled by end stops or other controlling de- When an end stop terminates the travel of a carrier bar I, the latter will prevent further movement of its friction units I2. The drum 5 will then slip relatively to the arrested friction units I2 while the former continues its oscillatory movement in the same direction. When the drum 5 reverses its direc-' tion of movement, it will again pick up the arrested friction units I2 and the corresponding carrier bar I, and the latter will be carried along in its return stroke until it engages another end stop. For purposes of illustration, the drawings, for example, Figures 1 and III, show the drum 5, the friction units" I2,- and the cables I6 in the positions they assume when each carrier bar I is midway of its opposite end steps.

27 to the inoperative position illustrated by Figure 111, so that the respective cable 86 will be relieved of its tension and the corresponding friction units 42 may be released of their driving engagement with the respective cylindrical surface 56. To facilitate this release of the friction units i2, each set may have spring means, for example two coiled springs 416, interposed between the upper ends of the friction units 12. The springs 26 are efi'ective to yieldingly force apart the adjacent ends of the 8,550.- ciated friction units 82, so that the latter will merely rest upon the associated cylindrical surface it! without having driving engagement therewith. When a cam lever 2? is in the inoperative position, the repectlve friction units. 82, due to the action of their springs 26, will hang from the drum 5 and only a relatively small portion of the friction units i2 will contact the respective cylindrical surface iii. In order to support the opposite ends of the springs 29, each friction unit I2 may be provided on either side of one end with pins 50 (see Figure II), or other suitable spring retaining means.

It is to be noted that the side walls of the grooves 6 prevent lateral movement of the friction unitsfl and maintain the latter in proper position'relative to their respective carrier bars i. Another feature of the disclosed construction is that the drum 5 is so arranged that the portions of the cables 86 extending therefrom are positioned substantially parallel to the respective carrier her i. This arrangement of the cables I6 will minimize wear on the cables it, as well as on the connections between them and their carrier bars I.

Support for drum The drum or wheel 5 is keyed to a shaft 65 which is rotatably supported by front and rear bearing members ll and 62. Both bearing members 6i and 62 may be supported by a stationary member or bar 63 rigidly mounted in any suitable manner on the frame of the knitting machine.

. The rear bearing member 62 is shown in the drawings (see Figures I and VII, for example) as secured directly to bar 63 by means of threaded bolts 64. The front'bearing member ll is rigidly secured to a bar 45 by means such'as threaded bolts 66. The bar 45 also is rigidly supported from'the bar 43 by means of rods 41. These rods 61 have reduceg through similarly s-aped openings in the bars 46 and and which are threaded to receive the nuts 48 (see 'fure I). In order to prevent axial movement of th the drum 5 and its shaft 46, the latter may be provided with two adjustable collars 46 and 50. These collars 49 and 56 are secured to the shaft 46, by means of set screws 59, and serve to maintain the drum 5 with its grooves 9 aligned with the corresponding carrier bars I.

Actuating mechanism for the drum oi the carrier bar drive H .mitting the drive of the usual coulier motion ,(not shown) to the drum 5. One of these novel forms is shown in Figures I, III and VII. This form includes a crank arm 55 keyed to the shaft estates 56 and a rocker arm 56 pivotally mounted on a rod 5i. The rod 51 and shaft '66 are arranged in parallel relation, rather than in axial alignment, so that the crank arm 55 and rocker arm 56 will pivot or oscillate about laterally spaced the drawings.

end portions which extend The rod 5! at one end is adjustably supported by a suitably slotted extension 56 of the rear bearing member 62. A reduced end portion of the rod 5i projects through the slot 56 and is secured in adjusted position by a nut 66 (see Figure VII). By loosening the nut 66, the rod 51 may be adjusted relative to the shaft 56 to vary the spacing of the pivotal axes of the crank and rocker arms 55 and 56. .The rocker arm 65 is retained on the rod 57 by means of a coilar 53 provided with a set screw 56. This collar 53 also maintains the rocker arm 56 in proper position relative to crank arm 55.

The principal function of the crank and rocker arms 55 and 56 is to drive the drum 5 from the rocker arm 56 in such manner that the drum 5 will have a greater angular movement than the rocker arm 56. For example, the rocker arm 56 may be connected to the drum 5 in such manner that an angular movement of approximately for the rocker arm 56 will result in the drum 5 and its crank arm 55 moving through an angle of approximately In other words, the rocker arm 56, in oscillating between the positions illustrated in broken lines at A and B in Figure III, will cause the crank arm 55 to oscillate between its positions illustrated in broken lines at C and D.

The driving connection between the crank and rocker arms 55 and 56 is shown in Figure "VII. This driving connection includes a roller 62 mounted on a pin 63 carried by the rocker arm 56. The roller 62 is received within a groove 6i extending lengthwise of the crank arm 55. During operation of the rocker arm 56, its roller 62 engages the side walls of the groove 6| to drive the crank arm 55. 7 At the same time, the roller 62 will reciprocate lengthwise of the groove 6!. v

The drive for the oscillating rocker arm 56 is provided by a. driving arm 64 which is mounted on the slur cam bar 3 and connected by a link 65 to a slide member 66. The link 65 is pivotally connected to both the driving arm 64 and the slide member 66. The slide member 66 is adjustable along the length of the rocker arm 56 and is held in the adjusted position by a set screw 61.

The operation of the drum 5 may be regulated by adjusting either or both the rod 51 and the slide member 66. Byadjusting the slide memher 65 along the-rocker arm 56, the amplitude of movement of the latter, and hence the amplitude of movement of the drum 5, may be changed as desired. Adjustment of the rod 51 relatively to the shaft 46 willresult in a variation in the ratio of the amplitude of angular movement of the rocker arm 56 to the amplitude of angular movement of the-crank arm 55 and the drum 6. The preferred adjustment for the slide member 66' and the rod 5'! is such that the amplitude of movement of the drum 5 is slight- 1y more than that required to reciprocate the carrier bars i between their end stops. If the amplitudev of movement of the drum 5 were greatly in excess of that requireddo reciprocate the carrier bars I, the friction drive and the knitting machine would be subjected to unnecessary shock and strain during the interval between the stoppage of a carrier bar I and the reversal of the drum for its return movement. The relative arrangement of the crank and rocker arms 55 and 56 ofiers a further advantage. During operation of the crank and rocker arms, the ratio of their angular speeds will vary. For example, the two arms may have such relative adjustment that in a 90 angular movement of the rocker arm '56 at a constant angular speed, the crank arm 55 will have approximately a similar angular speed adjacent its limits of movement and approximately twice such angular speed midway of each stroke. f In other words, when the arms reverse their direction of movement they may start off at similar rates of speed, but the crank arm 55 will gradually increase its rate of movement until it reaches the midpoint of its stroke and then gradually decrease its rate of :movement until the two arms are moving at similar speedsand ready to reverse their direction of movement.

Speed control The Figures XI and XII show the same carrier bardriving mechanism as Figures I through X, but in addition provide means for automatically adjusting theslide member 66 during .car-

carried by a pin I3 which is secured to the slide I .66. The cam member and its groove II are so ple, have guide members 14 adjustably secured by set screws I5 to posts 16 mounted on a convenient stationary machine part 11. The supporting posts 16 are so arranged that their cam member 10 during adjustment will shift, slide member 66 lengthwise of the crank arm 56. I The cam member 10 may be removed if cam control for the slide member 66 is not desired.

designed that the roller 12 and its supporting slide 66 are free to travel with the rocker arm 56 during its entire operation.

The shape or curvature'of the cam groove H may be of any desired character, the shape or curvature being such as to provide the desired operation of the rocker arm 56 and the drum 5. The groove H by its coaction with roller 12 shifts or adjusts the slide 66 lengthwise of the rocker arm 56 as the latter oscillates. By referring to Figure XI, it will be noted that as therocker arm 56 moves from the full line to either of the broken line positions, the illustrated cam positions to the full line position. The shape ofthe recess H may be such that the slide 66 is adjusted during oscillation of the rocker arm 56 to provide a uniform rate of movement for operating carrier bars I during the full extent of theirtravel. By providing another shape for the cam groove II, it may so control the slide 66 that the carrier bars I travel at full speed for the greater part of each of their strokes and at a greatly reduced speed as they approach their end .merely for purposes of illustrating this invention.

Any suitable means may be provided for supporting the cam member 18, although an adjustable support .such as shown in the drawings, 'is preferred. The cam member 18 may, for exam- Figures 'VIII and XI).

In this event, the slide member 66 is secured in the desired position on the crank arm 56 by means of the set screw 61. This set screw 61 is loosened or removed when the slide member 66 is to b cam controlled.

Pattern control. for carrier bars This :invention also provides the novel form of mechanism shown in Figures XI, XIII and XVI for automatically controlling the selective opera- .shown in certain of the :other figures. Each cam "control lever 80 may he bifurcated or slotted to .receive the upstanding portion 8| of the associated slide member 25 (see Figure XV).

Each control lever 80 is pivotally mounted on its respective upstanding slide portion BI and has two arms 82 and 83. The .arm 82-serves as the actuating lever portion, and the .arm 83 acts as a camming member. The lever- arms 82 and 83 may be angularly disposed with respect to each other, in order that the arm 83 will have camming engagement with the respective bracket 26 when downward pressure is exerted on the outer end of the arm 82. This camming action will cause the respective cable l6 to be tensioned to provide operation of the associated carrier bar .I. The outer end of the arm 82 of each control lever 88 is also bifurcated and rotatably supports a'roller 84.

Each control lever '88 is operated, and maintained in the operative position as long :as its carrier :bar I is to continue yarn laying movement, by a race 85, there being a race 85 for each lever 80 as shown by Figure XIII. Each race 85 may be in the form of a bar having a length somewhat greater than the maximum extent of v travel desired for the corresponding carrier bar I. The races 85 extend parallel to the carrier bars I, and in their upper or inoperative positions, al-

, low the respective control levers 80 to assume the inoperative position illustrated in Figures XI and XV under the influence of the Springs 29 (see In order to actuatea particular control lever 88 and thereby initiate the drive of the corresponding carrier bar I, the associated race 85 is lowered. As 'a particular race 85 is lowered, it actuates the corresponding lever arm 83 and causes the latter to exert such camming action as will provide the desired frice tional driving engagement between the respective'friction units l2 and the drum 5. The operated race is maintained in this lowered position until the corresponding carrier bar I is to discontinue its reciprocatory movement. During operation of a carrier bar I, its respective control lever is maintained in the actuated position by reason of engagement of its roller 84 with the lowered race 85. As long as a race 85 is lowered, the respective control lever 88 is prevented from returning to its inoperative position and the roller 84 of that lever travels back and forth along the engaged surface of the lowered race 85.

When the reciprocating movement of a carrier bar i is to be discontinued, the respective race 85 is raised to release the associated control lever 80 and allow the corresponding springs as to effect disengagement of corresponding friction units I2 with the drum 5. The springs 29 by forcing apart the friction units it exert pull- 85, which may have threaded engagement-until both the cross member 81 and a collar 8% carried at the upper side of the race 85. The race operating rods 88 are also slidably disposed in guides 50. These guides W may be in the form of suitably apertured bars and are secured at their ends to supports 95 mounted on a conveniently located carrier bar guide bracket 2 (see Figure m1).

In order to maintain each race as in parallel to its respective carrier bar l and to prevent rotation of the former about the axis of its sup= porting rod 88, the cross members 3'? may have upstanding guide pins as slidably disposed in suitable apertures in the upper rod guide as.

In order to provide the desired operation for the races 85, their operating rods 88 may be longitudinally actuated'by any suitable pattern mechanism. One preferred form of pattern mechanism is illustrated in Figures XI and XIH.

1 The upper end of each operating rod 88 is connected by a link Hill to a separate rod IIll vertically slidable in a stationary guide bar I02. Each of these rods IBI is provided with an arm I03, which supports and is actuated by the outer end of a pattern controlled lever IM. There may be as many of these pattern control levers 504 as there are carrier bars I, and each lever E04 controls the operation of a respective carrier bar I. All the pattern control levers Ill i'may be supported on the same pivot rod I05. The pattern controlled levers IM areselectively engaged and swung downwardly by the pattern determining elements or cam it carried by the pattern chain 101. This pattern chain III'I may be of any desired length and may carry one or more suitably positioned cam elements I06 for operating each pattern controlled lever I04. The cam elements I05 are relatively arranged to secure operation of the carrier bars I! in the desired order. There may, therefore, be provided only one or a number of cam elements Ilifi for each pattern controlled lever Hit. Where more than one cam element l lid is provided for a particular pattern controlled lever Itt, they are arranged in a row, and suitably spaced, lengthwise of the pattern chain ml. As lengthwise movement is imparted to the pattern chain ml in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure XI, the cam elements I06 in predetermined order engage the projections we carried by the pattern controlled levers it, and in so doing exert a camming action to'rock the levers Hit downwardly. The actuation of a particular lever ltd results in its respective race 85 being depressed, the respective frictionunits i2 being forced into driving engagement with the drum 5, and the corresponding carrier bar i being reciprocated for yarn laying movement.

The pattern chain It'll may be supported and operated by any suitable means and is preferably advanced one step at a time. The distance the accuses chain It! is advanced in each operation may correspond to the spacing of the cam elements I06 lengthwise'of the chain EM. -For example, in each advance movement of the chain Ml, it may be actuated to move an operative cam element WE out of engagement with the projection 908 of trolled lever is.

The pattern chain Itl may remain stationary between its successive advancing operations.

During the intervals between its advance move- I ments, the chain it"! maintains the operative cam element, Wt in such position that it will retain the actuated pattern control lever it in the depressed position. In this way, the pattern mechanism provides, for continuous reciprocatory movement of an operating carrierbar 2 until the pattern chain It! is advanced to release the corresponding, depressed pattern controlled lever Wt.

When a particular pattern controlled lever MM is released by the cam element I08 which effected its operation, a spring IE9 acts to restore both the released lever we and the corresponding race 85 to their upper inoperative positions. One of these spring we is associated with each rod Ill I Each spring 509 is secured at its opposite ends to one of the arms ms and the guide bar I02 by any suitable means, such as screws I it. Each spring I05, therefore, yieldingly supports the respective pattern controlled lever I04 and the respective race 85 in their upper inoperative positions.

For purposes of illustration, parts 01 the mechanism for controlling the arm. M3 at the. extreme right of Figure XIII have been omitted in that A further embodiment for the means to operate the friction drum Another embodiment for the means to operate the friction drum 5 is shown in Figure xvn. In

this embodiment the drum shaft 40 is provided with a crank arm IN. A slide member IZI is adjustably supported on the crank arm I20, and a driving arm H2 is rigidly mounted on the reciprocable bar 3. The drive of this am I22 is transmitted to the slide member i 2|. by a link I23. This driving arrangement'for the drum 5 is similar to the drive for the drum 6 in my pnlor Patent No. 1,979,212. According to the present in-' vention, however, the slide IZI may becam com trolled rather than secured in adjusted position as the slide i8 of said prior patent. The cam. control for the slide IN is the same in construc tion and operation as the cam control illustrated in Figures XI and ml: for the slide member $6.

'The description and explanation for the cam control of the slide 6% will, therefore, sufice for the cam control of slide IN.

The foregoing is onlyillustrative, and it will be understood that this invention includes all modibination comprising driving means and driven means, one of said means being a wheel-like member, the other of said means being adapted to frictionally engage said wheel-like member in yielding driving relation and including flexible means, such as a cable, having an intermediate portion looped about said wheel-like member with the outer cable portions extending outwardly.

cluding flexible means, such as a cable, looped about said wheel and having portions extending substantially tangentially therefrom in opposite directions and at the under side thereof, said portions extending substantially parallel to said rod and being connected to said rod at opposite sides of said wheel.

3. In a drive transmitting or control mechanism for the yarn carriers of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising rotary means, rectilinearly reciprocable means, and flexible connecting means, such as a cable, having an intermediate portion looped about said rotary means and having its outer portions securedto said reciprocable means, said intermediate portion being adapted to be contracted about said rotary member in a driving relation and to be expanded to interrupt said drivingrelation, and means for controlling the tension of said flexible connecting means to contract the same about said rotary means and thereby controlling the driving relation between the latter and said rotary means.

4. An attachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at leastone carrier bar thereof for moving knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising an oscillatable' driving drum mea'ns for transmitting the drive of said drum to a carrier bar for reciprocating the same, said means ineluding a cable looped about said drum with cable end portions extending substantially tangentially in opposite directions from said drum to spaced points on said carrier .bar at opposite sides of said drum, and means for connecting said end cable portions to the said carrier bar at said spaced points and for tensioning said cable to contract said looped cable portion about said drum and thereby control the drive between said drum and said drive transmitting means.

5. An attachment' for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof for moving knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comthereof for moving knitting machine yarn carriers intheir usual paths, the said attachmentcomprising an oscillatable driving drum,means} for transmitting the drive of said drum toabarrier bar for reciprocating the same, said-meansincluding a cable and being looped about said'drurn with cable end portions extending substantially tangentially in-opposite directions from said drum to spaced points'on said carrier bar, an apertured member secured to said carrier bar atone of said points, a connecting link extending through the aperture in said member and. secured'adj'acent one end to the adjacent cable end portion, a cam lever pivotally connected to said link adjacentthe other end thereof and adapted to have cam engagement with said apertured member for exerting a pulling action on said cable, and means for securing the other cable end portion to said carrier bar at the other of said spacedpoints,

7. In a device of the character described, the combination comprising oscillatable driving. and driven means, said driving means being adapted to have frictional engagement with said driven means to provide a yielding drive therefor, flexl ble means, such as a cable, looped about said driving and driven means and adapted to control said frictional engagement to establish and interrupt the driving relation of said driving and driven means and a reciprocable. bar or rod connected at opposite sides of said driving means to said flexible means.

8. In a device of the character described for a straight knitting machine including a reciprocable member, the combination comprising a rotary member, means for frictionally engaging said r05 tary member in driving relation, and flexible means, such as a cable, having an intermediate prising an oscillatable driving drum, means for transmitting the drive of said drum to a carrier bar for reciprocating the same, said means including a cable and being looped about said drum with cable end portions extending substantially tangentially in opposite directions from said drum to spaced points on said carrier bar, an apertured member secured to said carrier bar at one of said points, an element slidably extending through said aperture and secured at one end to the adjacent cable end portion, an adjustable nut threaded on the other end of said element, and means for securing the other of said cable. end portions to said carrier bar at the other of said spaced points.

6. An attachment for straight knitting maportion associated with said frictionally engaging means and having its outer portions adapted'to provide flexible driving connections between said reciprocable member and said frictionally engaging means. v

9. In a device of the character described for a straight knitting machine including reciprocable means, the combination comprising a rotary member, clutch means adapted to have frictional driving relation with said rotary means, flexible means, such as a cable, adapted to coactwith said clutch means to maintain the same in driving engagement with said rotary member, and means for connecting said flexible means and reciprocable means in driving relation.

10. In a device of the character described for a straight knitting machine including at least two longitudinally reciprocable members, the combination comprising a rotary device, flexible means, such as a cable, for each of said reciprocable members to provide flexible driving connections between the same and said rotary device, and frictional clutch means adapted to provide a yieldingv driving connection between said rotary device and at least one of said flexible means.

11. In a device of the character described for a straight knitting machine including at least two longitudinally reciprocable members, the combination comprising a rotary device, flexiblemeans, such as a cable, for each of said reciprocable members to provide flexible driving connections between the same and sald rotary device, frictional clutch means adapted to provide a yielding driving connection between said rotary device and at least one of said flexible means,

and means for tensioning said last-named flexible means to provide driving engagement between its said clutch means and said rotary device.

M 12. An attachment for knitting machines hav-= 'ing carrier bars 'for' reciprocation in yarn laying operations, said attachment comprising driving means, means adapted to have frictionaiengage me'ntwith and to be yieldinglydriven by said driving means, and flexible means, such as cable means, adapted to'be driven positively by said frictionally driven means, said flexible means being adapted to control said frictional engagement and to be connected in driving relation with a carrier bar.

13. An attachment as recited in claim 12, wherein the driving means is a drum adapted to be rotated alternately in opposite directions, and a fricticnally driven means and a corresponding flexible means. are provided for each of a plurality of carrier bars to be individually operated from said drum.

14. In a control mechanism for the yarn carriers of a straight knitting machine, the combinaaaeaeee chines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof and thereby move the knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising a wheel adapted to receive oscillatory motion, floating friction'band means tion of a driving means; a driven means; one

of said means including a longitudinally reciprocable rod or bar, and the other of said means including an oscillatable wheel; and a device for transmitting thedrive between said driven and vdriving means; said device including a friction member for yieldingly engaging one of said means,

. flexible means, such as a cable, connected at opposite sides of said wheel to said rod in driving relation, and means for tensioning said flexible means to control the drive between said member and the means yieldingly engaged thereby.

15. In a'driving mechanism for the movable elements supporting the yarn carriers of a straight knitting machine, a driving wheel adapted to oscillate about its axis, at least one friction unit arranged on the circumference of said wheel and adapted to have frictional driving engagement therewith, and flexible means looped about said friction unit and wheel, and also extending therefrom in substantially opposite directions for attachment to a carrier bar at points spaced therealong.

16. An attachment for straight knitting ma.- chlnes to reciprocate a carrier bar thereof and thereby move knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising a member adapted to receive oscillatory motion and having a cylindrical outer surface,

means for frictionally engaging said surface in driving relation, and flexible means, such as a cable, encircling said member and having its ends connected to one of said carrier ibars at points spaced therealong, the encircling portion of said flexible means being adapted to partake of the oscillating movement of said frictionally engagingmeans to transmit the drive thereof to said carrier bar.

17. An attachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof and thereby move knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising a member adapted to receive oscillatory motion and having a cylindrical outer surface, means for engaging said surface in driving relation, and flexible means, such as a cable,

encircling said member and extending therefrom to transmit the drive of said surface engaging means to said carrier bars, and means for efiectlng driving engagement and disengagement be 'tween said oscillatory member and said surface engaging means.-

18. Anattachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar hereof and thereby move knitting machine yam arranged on the periphery of said wheel for driving engagement therewith, and flexible means,

such as a cable, encircling said wheel and adapted to be contracted about the same for effecting driving engagement of said friction band means with the said wheel.

20. An attachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof and thereby move knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprisingan oscillatable wheel, friction band means extending circumferentially about said wheel, flexible means, such as a cable, encircling said wheelwith said friction band means there between. and being adapted to be contracted about said wheel for effecting driving engagement of said friction band means with the said wheel, and releasable means for tensioning said flexible means to contract the same about said wheel.

21. An attachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof and thereby move knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising an oscillatable drum, friction band means substantially encircling said drum, flexible means, such as a cable, having an intermediate portion encircling said friction band means and its remaining portions extending substantially tangentially to said drum and said friction band means, and means at the extremities of said flexible means for connection with a carrier bar at points spaced therealong,

22. An attachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof and thereby move knitting machine yarn.

carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising an oscillatable drum,- friction band means substantially encircling said drum, flexible means, such as a cable, having an intermediate portion encircling said drum with said friction band meansftherebetween and its remaining portions extending from said drum and said friction band means, andmeans adjacent the extremities of said flexible means for connection with a carrier bar at points spaced therealong, at least one of said last-named means having a member operable to tension said flexible means for effecting driving engagement and disengagement between said friction band means and said drum.

23.. An attachment for straight knitting machines to reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof and thereby move knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising a member adapted to receive oscilla= tory motion and having a cylindrical outer surface, means associated with said surface and adapted to have frictional driving engagement gaging means in substantially opposite directions for. connection with a carrier bar at spaced points located at opposite sides of said oscillatable member.

24. An, attachment for straight knitting machines having carrier bars to be reciprocated for moving their yarn carriers in yarn laying operations, said attachment comprising a drum adapted to have oscillatory movement, flexible means, such as a cable, looped about said drum and adapted to be connected in driving relation to a carrier bar, at least one floating friction unit interposed between the looped portion of said flexible means and said drum and adapted to have driving engagement with said drum, and

. 3 means for transmitting the drive of said friction units to said flexible member.

an abutment secured to said flexiblemeans and a 1 .supported thereby on said drum for driving engagement with said friction unit.

25. An attachment for straight knitting machines having carrier bars to be reciprocated for moving their yarn carriers in yarn laying operations, said attachment comprising a drum adapted to have oscillatory movement, flexible means, such as a cable, looped about said drum and adapted to be connected in driving relation to a carrier bar, a set of at least two floating, arcuately-shaped, friction units arranged end to end and substantially surrounding said drum with a space between their other ends, said friction length than the distance between the spaced ends of said friction units.

2'7. An attachment for straight knitting machines having carrier bars to be reciprocated for moving their yarn carriers in yarn laying operations, said attachment comprising a a drum adapted to have oscillatory movement, 'flexible means, such as a cable, looped about said drum and adapted to be connected in driving relation to acarrier bar, a set of at least two'floating,

arcuately-shaped, friction units arranged end to end and substantially surrounding said drum with a space between their other ends, said friction units being interposed between the looped portion of said flexible means and said drum and adapted to have driving engagement with said drum, each of said friction units 'having a friction lining and a rigid backing member therefor,

and means for transmitting the drive of said I friction units to said flexible member.

28. An attachment for straight knitting machines having carrier bars to be'rec-iprocated for moving their yarn carriers in yarn laying operations, said attachment comprising a drum adapted to have oscillatory movement, flexible means, such as a. cable, looped about said drum and adapted to be connected in driving relation unit interposed between the looped portion of said flexible means and said drum and adapted to have drivingengagement with said drum, said friction'member having a groove extending circumferentially of said drum for receiving the adjacent portion ,of said flexible member, and

o to a carrier bar, at least one floating friction stroke thereof.

29. An attachment for straight knitting machines having carrier bars to be reciprocated for moving their yarn carriers in yarn laying operations, said attachment comprising a. drum adapted to be oscillated and provided with a plu rality of axially spaced, circumferentially extend-= ing grooves, at least one floating friction unit disposed in each of said grooves, each friction unit having a channel formed in its outer side, and flexible means, such as a cable, associated with each of said grooves and looped about the drum and disposed in the channel of the respective friction unit for maintaining the same in assembled relation.

30. An attachment for straight knitting machinesto reciprocate at least one carrier bar thereof for moving knitting machine yarn carriers in their usual paths, the said attachment comprising an oscillatable driving drum, means for frlctionally engaging said drum in driving relation, means to effect driving engagement and disengagement between said drum and frictionally engaging means and to transmit the drive of said frlctionally engaging means to a carrier bar for reciprocating same, said drive effecting and transmitting means including cable portions extending about said drum and also in substantially opposite tangential directionstherefrom, means for connecting said cable portions to a carrier bar at points spaced therealong, and

means for tensionlng said cable to efiect driving engagement between said drum and frictionally engaging means.

31. In an operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising an oscillatable drum, a driving element having a substantially uniform rate of movement, means connecting said element and said drum in driving relation, and means for automatically regulating said connecting means during driving operations to control the rate of angular movement of said drum during each 32. In an operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a'straight knitting machine, the combination, comprising an oscillatable drum, 9. .driving element having a substantially uniform rate of movement, means connecting said element and said drum in driving relation, and cam means for automatically adjusting said connecting means during driving operations to vary the rate of angular movement of said drum during each stroke thereof.

33. In an operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knittingmachine, the combination comprising an oscillatable drum, a driving= element having a substantially uniform rate of movement, means connecting said element and said drum in driving relation, and adjustably supported cam means for automatically ad-v justing said connecting means during driving operations to vary the rate of angular movement of said drum during each stroke thereof.

34. In a driving mechanism for one or more of the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a reciprocable driving member, a rocker arm element connected to said driving member, an oscillaitable driven member, a crank arm element operatively conv nected to said driven membenand means providing a driving connection between 'said elements, said means including a roller carried by one of said elements and slidably received in a said carrier bars, a crank arm secured to said shaft and having a groove extending longitudinally thereof, a rocker arm adapted to be oscillated and mounted with its axis displacedlaterally of the axis of said crank arm, and a roller supported by said rocker arm and having sliding engagement within said groove for transmitting the drive of said rocker arm to said crank arm. .36. In operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising two lever arms pivotally mounted on laterally spaced axes, and means connecting said arms in driving relation, said means including a longitudinally extending guideway carried by one or said arms, and a member fixed to the other arm and having slidable engagement with said guideway.

3'7. In Operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising two lever arms movable in parallel planes and pivotally mounted on laterally spaced axes, and means connecting said arms in driving relation; said means comprising a member secured to one of said arms and slidably received within a longitudinally extending groove in the other of said arms.

'38. In operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a shaft to he oscillated, a. crank arm secured to said shaft for driving same,

- a. supporting member, a rocker arm pivotally carried by said supporting member with the piva member fixed to one arm and sliclably received in a groove provided in the other arm, whereby said arms are connected in such driving relation that they will have different amplitudes of movement, a reciprocable driving member, a driving connection between said driving member and said rockerarm, said drive connection including an element mountedo'n said rocker arm for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, and means cooperating with said slidable element to auto matically shift the same along said rocker arm during driving operations to vary the driving relation between said reciprooable member and said rocker arm.

. i-i. In a device of the character described for a straight knitting "machine, "the combination comprising "a driving member, a driven member,

- means connecting said members in driving relaotal axis'spaced laterally otthe pivotal axis of I said crank arm, a pin carried by one of said arms, a roller mounted on said pin, and a guideway extending along the other of said arms for slidably receiving said roller.

39. In operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the combi-= nation comprising a reciprocable driving memher having rectilinear movement, an arm to be oscillated by said reciprocable member, a driving connection between said reciprocable member and said arm, said driving connection including an element mounted on said arm for adjustment longitudinally thereof, and means for automaticallv shitting said element on said lever during operation of said reciprocable member, whereby the driving relation between said reciprocable member and arm is varied during driving oper ations.

40. In an operating mechanism for the carrier bars of a straight knitting machine, the I combination comprising a slur cam bar having reciprocating movement, an arm to be oscillated by said slur cam bar, a driving connection between said slur cam bar and said arm, said drivlng connection including an element slidably mounted on said arm for movement longitudinally thereof, a roller carried by said slidably mounted member, and means providing a guide for said roller to cause the same to move in a predetermined path and slide said element along said oscillatable arm during driving operations of said slur cam bar.

. 41. An operating mechanism as recited in claim 40,111 which the guide means is mounted for adjustment to change the path of movement of said roller.

$2.1m operating mechanism as recited in tion, said connecting means "being adjustable to modify the rate oif movement of the driven memher with respect to the rate of movement of the driving, member, and means for automatically controlling said connecting means to provide a predetermined adjustment thereof while said connecting means is transmitting the'drive of said driving member to the driven member.

l5. In a device of the character described for a straight mtting machine, the combination comprising a drivingmember, a driven member, meansconnecting said members in driving relation and movable therewith during driving operations. said conneotingmeans being also'adjustable by movement relative to at least one of said members to modify the rate of movement of the driven member with respect to the rate of'movemerit of the driving member, and stationary guide means for automatically controlling and efiecting said adjustment of said connecting means during movement of said driving and driven members.

46. In a device of the character described for a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising adriving member, a driven member, one oi said members comprlsingan oscillating element, means connecting" said members in driving relation and movable with said element during driving onerations, said connecting means being also adjustable relative to said element and toward and away from its axis oi oscillatory. movement, and means for automatically con-.

trolling and enacting said adjustment of said connecting means during at least a part of each stroke of said oscillating element. f

d7. Ina device of the character, described for a straight knitting! machine, the combination comprming driving and driven m embers oscillatable in parallel planesand about laterally spaced fixed axes, and means connecting said members in driving relation whereby an angular movemerit of the driving member results in an angular movement of different extent for the drivenmember said members being so relatively ar-' ranged that one member'during the normal osclllation thereof crosses the projected axis of oscillation of the other member, and said lastto the respective carrier bar; each of said races being movable to operate its respective lever and to maintain the same in the operative position during movement of the corresponding carrier bar.

49. In an automatic control mechanism for a the carrier bars-of a straight knitting machine having carrier bar driving means to which the carrier bars may be selectively connected in driving relation, the combination comprising a lever pivotally mounted on each carrier bar and adapted to control the operation of the respec 50. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising yarn carrier driving means,

means pivotally movable between inoperative and tive carrier bar by said driving means, a race for each of said levers and extending parallel to the respective carrier bar, each of said races being movable to operate its respective lever and to maintain the same in the operative position during movement of the corresponding carrier bar. and pattern controlled means for operating said races to secure selective operation of said carrier bars in a predetermined order.

operative positions to control said driving means and also bodily movable along a straight path during the yarn carrier driving operations, means for actuating said control means in one direction and maintaining the same in the actuated position during movement along said path, and means for restoring said control means to its original position upon release thereof by said actuating means.

51. In amechanism for controlling the drive of the yarn carriers in a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rectilinearly movable support, a control lever pivotally mounted on said support, and a race paralleling the path of movement of said support and movable to actuate said lever about its pivot and to maintain the lever in the actuated position during movement of said support.

52. In a mechanism for controlling the drive of the yarn carriers in a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rectilinearly movable support, a control lever mounted on said support for pivotal movement between idle and actuated positions, a race paralleling the path of movement of said support and movable from an inoperative position to operate said lever to said actuated position and to maintain said lever in the actuated position during movement of said support, and means efiective to restore said lever to said idle position as said race is restored to its inoperative position.

' FRANK G. WEISBECKER.

Images